“Not as many as we thought. There was a tall one leaning toward the grocery store and then a handful on the edge of town. Their roots had been loosened in the recent heavy rainstorms.” Hex smiled in thanks as Martha set a cup of coffee down in front of him.
“Wow, those rainstorms were bad,” Hilda said. “The water swept down from the higher mountain slopes and ran down the Main Street of town like a river.”
“You never told me that,” Martha stirred a sauce on the stove while listening to their conversation.
“I suppose I never thought.” Hilda shrugged. “When you call, I like to hear what you have been doing, not talk about the weather.”
“When I call, I like to hear about the town gossip,” Martha said with a laugh.
“Oh, there’s always plenty of gossip in Cougar Ridge,” Hilda’s eyes shone brightly, although Hex sensed her energy was waning.
“What’s it like over in Bear Creek?” Martha asked. “Do the people like to talk about what so and so is doing?”
“They do. Although over at the sawmill we try to keep things simmered down. There are a few of us living there and if we all talked about each other, it would make for some very awkward moments.” He drank his coffee, enjoying the ambiance of the little kitchen and the company of his new family. Because that’s what they were. His family had grown by two people.
Fear gripped him once more. As long as Hilda recovered from her illness and Martha didn’t drown in the creek.
Chapter Eight – Martha
Hex seemed to close down before her eyes. For a couple of minutes, it was as if he zoned out, lost in his own thoughts. She wanted to reach out and touch him and bring him back to her, but her mom seemed oblivious to his swift change in mood and she didn’t want to draw attention to him.
“And you live with your mom and brother?” Hilda asked Hex.
“Yes.” Hex suddenly jerked out of his daydream and was present once more. “My brother bought the sawmill a few years back. He’d tried various businesses with some success but he wanted to live an outdoor life and so he took on the sawmill. He’s built the business up into the success it is today. Many people think he has an affinity with the trees.” Hex laughed as if his earlier episode hadn’t happened at all.
“And you enjoy the work?” Martha asked as she dished up their meal. She’d cooked chicken with mashed potatoes, green beans, and a red wine sauce. It smelled delicious and when she tasted the sauce, it was full of flavor, but she was still nervous as she placed the plates in front of her mate and her mom.
“I do.” Hex leaned forward and inhaled deeply. “Wow, this smells wonderful.”
“Martha knows how to cook,” Hilda looked at her daughter with open admiration. “She’s a very capable woman.”
“Mom.” Martha blushed.
“So what do you do?” Hex asked as he picked up his knife and fork and cut into his chicken.
“I work in finance.” Martha hated talking about her job. The money was good, but it was boring. “I arrange large corporate loans.”
“Wow!” Hex exclaimed.
“Believe me, it sounds much more exciting than it actually is.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “The only thing that’s fulfilling about it is the money.”
“She has quite a nest egg stashed away,” Hilda leaned toward Hex and half-whispered.
“Mom.” Martha frowned. Bear shifters always seemed proud and she didn’t want Hex to be intimidated by her the way most men were.
“So does that mean I get to stay home and change the diapers while you carry on working?” Hex asked as his eyes rolled in delight as he tasted his food. At least she hoped it was delight.
“How is the chicken?” Martha asked.
“The chicken is just perfect,” Hex answered, before he returned to their previous conversation. “I could always work with the baby strapped to my back.”
“I can’t wait for you two to give me my first grandchild.” Hilda’s eyes lit up. “And my second and my third.”
“Let’s slow down just a little,” Martha warned. “We have so many things to decide before we talk about children.”
Hilda’s cheerful expression faltered. “Will you stay in the city?”
Martha’s jaw stopped working on her food and she swallowed hard. “We haven’t talked about it. I haven’t even thought about it really.” She reached out for her mom’s hand. “I want to get you well before anything else is decided.”
“So you do plan to stay in the city?” Hilda asked.
“Mom, not now.” She glanced up at Hex. “I’m sure Hex’s bear would prefer to stay in the mountains, so we’ll all have to be flexible.”
“I’d move away from here and live with you in the city if that’s what you want.” Hex’s offer took her by surprise. She had expected him to fight to stay here by the mountains with all the wide-open spaces for them to run together. In fact, Martha had kind of come around to the idea that she would be leaving her job. She’d also considered retraining so that she could possibly take over for Mr. Regis when he retired.
“I’m okay with whatever we decide is best for us both,” Martha said firmly.
“You said your job was important to you, so I figured it was the sensible move.” Hex averted his eyes and looked down at his plate. He was hiding something. But she had no idea what.
Maybe he’s in some kind of trouble, her cougar suggested. Or perhaps he wants to move away from his family. He might resent living in his brother’s shadow.
“A sensible move would be to come back here and raise your children,” Hilda replied. “All these wide-open spaces and fresh air. If you stay in the city, the only mountains they’ll see are those on TV or in a computer game.”
“So, this storm that’s heading our way.” Martha met her mom’s stare before continuing. “They say it’s going to bring a lot of snow.”
“A lot of snow followed by freezing temperatures,” Hex glanced toward the window. “It’s hard to imagine what it’ll be like since the weather right now is nothing special.”
“You know you’re going to get snowed in here if you stay more than a day or two,” Hilda said to Martha. “Is your work okay with that?”
“Yes, I called them earlier and said I needed a leave of absence. I’m not going anywhere before we get you all better, Mom. So let’s hope the weather holds long enough for you to visit the hospital and get those tests.” Martha looked up at Hex. “Would you be able to get a couple of hours off work to lend me a hand tomorrow?”
“We can manage,” Hilda said firmly. “Hex has more important things to do than take an old lady to the hospital. This storm is going to be harsh, and people need his help.”
“Mom, you look good now, but this morning you looked really poorly.” Martha couldn’t believe the difference in her mom. But there was no saying she wouldn’t have a relapse overnight.
“I’m much better now.” She tapped her head. “My headache is gone, and I feel more like my old self.”
“I can come over and drive you to the hospital,” Hex offered. “On the way back, if Hilda is feeling strong enough, we could visit the sawmill. I can show you around and you could meet my mom. And Mac if he’s around.”
“Are you sure Mac won’t mind you having more time off for your mate?” Martha asked, trying to figure out what kind of relationship her mate had with his brother.
“No, not at all.” Hex smiled as he looked up at her. “My brother appreciates that finding your mate is a once-in-a-lifetime event. He said I could take all the time I needed as long as I promised to reciprocate the offer when his time came.” His voice drifted off.
“You’re a close family,” Hilda said. “I like that, and I’d love to come over and meet your mom.” She glanced at Martha. “If I have my daughter’s permission to enjoy myself.”
“Oh, so that’s how it is?” Martha laughed.
“I know you’re concerned for me. And I appreciate that. I do.” She leaned forward and patted Mart
ha’s hand. “I’m just happy you are here. I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Mom.” Martha gripped her knife and fork and dug into her dinner before it got cold. This evening was not going how she’d planned.
Luckily, the conversation veered away from Martha and Hex’s plans for the future as Hilda talked about Cougar Ridge and Hex told stories about tree felling gone wrong. Martha relaxed a little and let the conversation wash over her while still paying attention to what the two people who mattered most to her in the world said.
The future would sort itself out and she wanted to enjoy tonight, the first night with a mate.
Maybe he’ll stay over, her cougar suggested, and Martha blushed at the thought of being in the arms of the man she was destined to spend the rest of her life with.
Maybe he’s got more than just broad shoulders, her cougar teased, resulting in Martha hiding her flaming cheeks behind her coffee mug even though it was empty. “Dessert.” She stood up suddenly and turned her back on her mom and mate as she went to the fridge and fetched the cheesecake she’d made while the chicken cooked. Taking longer than necessary to take the dish off the shelf, Martha leaned into the refrigerator and let the cool air cascade over her while her cougar laughed in her head.
Finally, with her heated cheeks cooled a little, she carried the dessert to the table and set it down carefully, before fetching spoons and bowls.
“This looks good.” Hilda took the bowl offered to her and picked up her spoon. “I remember teaching you to make cheesecake.”
“I know, it took me several tries to master it.” Martha sat down, recalling all the things her mom had taught her. “One day I hope you will teach your grandchildren how to cook.”
“I’d love to. Although, I don’t have the same flair for cooking as I used to.” Hilda ate her dessert in silence.
“Oh, this is good,” Hex said as he scooped up a spoonful and savored it in his mouth.
“You can lick the bowl clean if you want,” Martha joked.
“My bear sure would like to.” Hex set his spoon down in his already empty bowl. “Sorry, I wolfed that down.”
“More?” Martha asked. “I guess big bear shifters have big appetites to match.”
“They do, although if I eat too much more, I’ll need to go for a run on the mountain to work off the calories.” He looked wistfully out of the window before turning his gaze back to Martha.
“Why don’t you two go and get some fresh air?” Hilda suggested. “I can get the fire going and read my newspaper by the fire.”
“Are you sure?” Martha was not going to argue with the suggestion. Ever since they got out of the car when they arrived in Cougar Ridge, her cougar had hankered after running across the mountain.
Running with our mate will be just thrilling, her cougar agreed.
“I’m sure. I feel fine.” She looked down at her half-eaten dessert. “I can’t manage the rest.” She ran her hand down over her belly. “I don’t think I’ve eaten so much for weeks.” She glanced at Hex. “You’re not the only one who might have to work off a few calories.”
“No,” Martha said firmly. “You sit down and relax. A few pounds on your hips would be good for you.”
“You might be right,” Hilda agreed as she got up from the table and took her bowl to the sink. “I could at least wash up.”
“No.” Martha stood up and went to her mom. “Go and rest. I’ll wash the dishes when we get back from our run.”
“Okay.” Her mom’s hand hovered over the hot faucet.
“Promise me you won’t wash the dishes.” Martha piled the dirty dishes neatly on the side. “I expect to see them like this when I get back.”
“I promise,” her mom answered and rolled her eyes like a child.
“If they bother you, I can do them before we go out,” Martha said, although the thought of going out and running free with her mate was too irresistible. But if she had to exert a little self-control then she would wash the dishes and clean the kitchen first.
“No, I’ll behave myself.” The same look of weariness crossed Hilda’s face and Martha helped her mom out of the kitchen and into the living room.
“I’ll build the fire up,” Hex offered and knelt down by the open fire while Martha settled her mom on the sofa and covered her with a blanket.
“Thanks, Hex.” Martha patted her mom’s shoulder. “Is there anything else you need? Anything I can get you before we go out?”
“Just my book from the table.” Hilda lay patiently as Martha fetched her book. “And maybe a glass of water, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Martha said as she went back to the kitchen and filled a large glass with cold water. “There.”
“Thank you.” Hilda raised her head and looked at the fire which was already hot and flaming red. “I do like to see a fire in the grate.”
“I can bring you some seasoned firewood when I come over tomorrow,” Hex offered. “We have a lot stored in the barn at the sawmill.”
“That would be wonderful,” Hilda said, her eyelids drooping as the heat from the flames and her full belly sent her dozing off.
Martha leaned down and kissed her mom’s cheek, confident Hilda would not be going anywhere near the kitchen after she left. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
“You two take your time and enjoy yourselves,” Hilda said quietly.
“Ready?” Hex asked after he’d made sure the fire was safe and covered it with the fireguard.
“Ready.” Martha reached for his hand and they walked to the front door together. A thrill of excitement passed through her as they left the house behind and walked along the sidewalk toward the trail leading into the mountains. It was a trail she’d walked a thousand times or more but tonight it felt different. Because it was different. She was about to shift in front of her mate.
“Do you ever shift out here in the open where people can see you?” Hex asked as they neared the beginning of the trail.
“I used to when I was younger and I couldn’t wait, or my cougar couldn’t wait to be free. But when I moved out of town, I became more self-conscious. I used to worry about what would happen if I lost control and shifted on the city streets, and so I became more...careful I suppose you’d call it.”
“More cautious.” Hex nodded. “I think that’s something that happens naturally as we get older.”
“I suppose it does. I miss the carefree days when I didn’t care what anyone thought. Now, with my job, I’m overly cautious. I know one wrong move and my career would stagnate.” She sighed and turned around to look back at the small town where she’d grown up. “I don’t want our children to live in that kind of world. I’d like them to know freedom. To live among other shifters. No one should have to hide away from who they truly are.”
“Then let’s celebrate who we are right now.” Hex let go of her hand and took a couple of steps away from her. The air shimmered around him and excitement threaded through her veins as he shifted. As Hex’s human form slipped away from this world, she held her breath, afraid he might not come back. But almost instantly he was there, a massive bear with a broad head and broad shoulders, and it was all she could do to contain her cougar.
Just one more minute to look at him, to touch him, Martha told her other side. Taking a couple of steps forward, Martha threaded her fingers through his fur. So soft, so thick, she longed to lie with the bear in front of a roaring fire and rest her head on his chest and sleep knowing he was watching over her.
As she took his head in her hands and pressed her lips to his broad head, the bear looked back at her with unblinking eyes. “My turn,” she whispered as her cougar clawed at the edges of her mind, desperate to be free.
The bear faded from her eyes as the two parts of Martha traded places. A ripple of excitement coursed through her cougar as her paws touched the ground. With a low growl, her cougar turned to the bear and nipped the thick fur around his neck, inviting him to play. T
he bear gave an answering growl and dug his back feet into the dirt as he propelled himself forward along the trail. He was fast, but no match for a cougar, even one who had been shut away for weeks.
Months, her cougar reminded her, and a wave of guilt rippled through Martha.
Being shut away was no life for an animal, any animal and in that moment, Martha made the decision to quit her job and move back to the mountains.
Her cougar leaped onto a boulder and batted a leaf with her paw in pleasure before jumping back down to the trail and nipping Hex’s bear’s butt.
The bear swung his head around and snarled before he dodged to one side to let her pass him. Her cougar ran forward but when she was halfway past, the bear nudged her with his shoulder and sent her sprawling across the ground. Her cougar rolled over and over before leaping to her feet to stare at the bear with indignation. The bear simply raised a furry eyebrow, if bears even had eyebrows, and huffed as if he found the whole thing incredibly amusing.
Luckily her cougar saw the funny side. Sidling up to the bear, she brushed her head along his neck and down his side, the connection between them making her hair stand on end. The feline would forgive her bear anything. Just as Martha would forgive Hex anything.
Time to run, her cougar said and leaped away from Hex’s bear, her paws pounding the trail as she climbed higher and higher into the mountains. The bear followed. He might not be as fast, but he had incredible stamina. Her cougar was impressed.
All around them small animals scurried out of the way as the two predators ran together through the ever-increasing darkness. Her cougar loved this time of night. Her eyes adjusted well enough to the dark so that she could make out trees and shrubs and avoid roots that hid on the ground waiting to snag an unsuspecting passerby. As the cougar and bear ran together, they kicked up rocks and stones and damp earth.
It was as if she was reborn. Her life was about to start over again and she had an incredible man to share it with. As they reached a rocky plateau and looked down over the world below, Martha could think of no one she would rather share her new life with.
Hex (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 1) Page 6
